catapult

1 of 2

noun

cat·​a·​pult ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt How to pronounce catapult (audio)
-ˌpu̇lt
Synonyms of catapultnext
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)

Illustration of catapult

Illustration of catapult
  • catapult 1

catapult

2 of 2

verb

catapulted; catapulting; catapults

transitive verb

: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult

intransitive verb

: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame

Synonyms

Verb

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Examples of catapult in a Sentence

Verb They catapulted rocks toward the castle. The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts. The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author. He catapulted to fame after his first book was published. Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
He was awarded a citation for courage and meritorious service after an explosion in the USS Leyte aircraft carrier’s port catapult machinery room while it was stationed in the South Boston Naval Annex, his family said. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 The Fujian's catapult launch system provides a major advantage over the ski-jump takeoff used on China's older carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, enabling aircraft to carry more fuel and weapons. — David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
The film catapulted the Philadelphia native to stardom, leading to acclaimed performances in films like JFK, Apollo 13, and Mystic River. — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2025 Monica Barbaro The year’s other big discovery, who catapulted from obscurity to arguably the people’s favorite in Supporting Actress. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catapult

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of catapult was in 1577

Rhymes for catapult

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Browse Nearby Words

catapult
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Cite this Entry

“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

catapult

1 of 2 noun
cat·​a·​pult ˈkat-ə-ˌpəlt How to pronounce catapult (audio)
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane (as from the deck of an aircraft carrier)

catapult

2 of 2 verb
1
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
2
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame

More from Merriam-Webster on catapult

Nglish: Translation of catapult for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catapult

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